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Private Bill: In Love and War
Barrie Cassidy's dad Bill survived more than four years as a prisoner of war in World War II. He first saw conflict on Crete in May 1941, during the only large-scale parachute invasion in wartime history. Just four days later, Bill was wounded and eventually captured.
Twice he tried to escape his internment — with horrific consequences. He suffered greatly but found courageous support from his fellow prisoners.
His new wife Myra and his large family thought he was dead until news of his capture finally reached them.
Back home, Myra too was a prisoner of sorts, with her own secrets. Then, fifty years after the war, unhealed wounds unexpectedly opened for Bill and Myra, testing them once again.
Private Bill is a classic heart-warming story — as told by their son — of how a loving couple prevailed over the adversities of war to live an extraordinarily ordinary, happy life.
Twice he tried to escape his internment — with horrific consequences. He suffered greatly but found courageous support from his fellow prisoners.
His new wife Myra and his large family thought he was dead until news of his capture finally reached them.
Back home, Myra too was a prisoner of sorts, with her own secrets. Then, fifty years after the war, unhealed wounds unexpectedly opened for Bill and Myra, testing them once again.
Private Bill is a classic heart-warming story — as told by their son — of how a loving couple prevailed over the adversities of war to live an extraordinarily ordinary, happy life.
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 10, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Amazing to read about my Uncle Bills time at war. At times it brought tears to my eyes. Loved seeing a photo of my mum in the book.
July 6, 2019
I was very interested in this story as it reflected what I know of my father’s POW experience of which I know only a little through anecdotes and yarns. Barry has written about his father and the narrative gives a personal insight into Bill’s life as a POW but it could also be reflective of the experiences of many POWs.
It is easy to read and at times very poignant. War creates casualties on the battlefield, but the wives and families at home are also deeply affected by war although distant from the physical effect.
It is easy to read and at times very poignant. War creates casualties on the battlefield, but the wives and families at home are also deeply affected by war although distant from the physical effect.
April 10, 2019
A really good ‘easy’ read. In saying that the content describing WW2 can be confronting.
Barrie Cassidy lovingly gives an account of his Father’s experiences as a POW and his return to family life.
Barrie Cassidy lovingly gives an account of his Father’s experiences as a POW and his return to family life.
May 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this book as my own father was a POW with the Japanese and it was great reading about the experience Bill had with the Germans. My Dad's family also believed he was dead for some 18 months until they heard he was in a Japanese camp.
October 6, 2018
A good read, gave an insight to what life as a POW was like written from a family perspective. Would definitely recommend.
February 5, 2015
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Though it reads like a story, from a third person perspective centred around Bill Cassidy, Private Bill: In Love and War is actually told from the perspective of his son, Barrie. What could come across as corny or trite actually leaves an endearing touch and provides an emotive view on what can sometimes be a category devoid of emotion (more details on yesterday’s post if you’re confused by what I mean).
Private Bill was an Australian soldier who fought in World War Two – except the actual ‘fighting’ of his time spent during the war was minimal. After witnessing the only paratroopers to be used in the war (unsurprisingly, they were useless), Bill was shot and injured and taken as a prisoner of war. Over the next four years, Bill tries in vain to escape his captives, as he deals with the frustrations and fears of being stuck in a war on the opposite side of the world. On top of all this, Bill has also left a young wife Myra behind, who is facing her own battles in Australia, some with devastating consequences.
Shamefaced, I have to put my hand up and admit that my knowledge of Australians and their impact on World War Two is minimal. While I know about the attack on Darwin and our actions via the Kokoda Trail, I’ve visited Pearl Harbour and seen firsthand Dachau in Germany, if you asked me what countries Australia infiltrated in Europe I wouldn’t have a clue. Quite embarrassing, really. So in that regard, Private Bill was great – even if Bill did spent almost all of his time as a prisoner of war.
Barrie Cassidy’s writing throughout flows with ease and the way that he has gone about telling his dad’s story reads just like that – a story. Private Bill doesn’t face the challenges that many memoirs do – that of becoming stilted and bogged down in facts, without the emotion to pull them together.
One thing that could have been improved was Cassidy’s use of timing throughout the memoir – in particular, the suspense that he used surrounding Myra and her actions during the war. Though he achieves it in the first few chapters and her actions are drawn out nicely, the truth isn’t revealed until the end of the book, by which time I’d half forgotten that she’d done something naughty.
Overall, Private Bill: In Love and War is an easy, informative read about a real-life account of what it was like to be a prisoner of war. If you’re interested in war, or how Australians contributed to World War Two, then give this one a read.
Though it reads like a story, from a third person perspective centred around Bill Cassidy, Private Bill: In Love and War is actually told from the perspective of his son, Barrie. What could come across as corny or trite actually leaves an endearing touch and provides an emotive view on what can sometimes be a category devoid of emotion (more details on yesterday’s post if you’re confused by what I mean).
Private Bill was an Australian soldier who fought in World War Two – except the actual ‘fighting’ of his time spent during the war was minimal. After witnessing the only paratroopers to be used in the war (unsurprisingly, they were useless), Bill was shot and injured and taken as a prisoner of war. Over the next four years, Bill tries in vain to escape his captives, as he deals with the frustrations and fears of being stuck in a war on the opposite side of the world. On top of all this, Bill has also left a young wife Myra behind, who is facing her own battles in Australia, some with devastating consequences.
Shamefaced, I have to put my hand up and admit that my knowledge of Australians and their impact on World War Two is minimal. While I know about the attack on Darwin and our actions via the Kokoda Trail, I’ve visited Pearl Harbour and seen firsthand Dachau in Germany, if you asked me what countries Australia infiltrated in Europe I wouldn’t have a clue. Quite embarrassing, really. So in that regard, Private Bill was great – even if Bill did spent almost all of his time as a prisoner of war.
Barrie Cassidy’s writing throughout flows with ease and the way that he has gone about telling his dad’s story reads just like that – a story. Private Bill doesn’t face the challenges that many memoirs do – that of becoming stilted and bogged down in facts, without the emotion to pull them together.
One thing that could have been improved was Cassidy’s use of timing throughout the memoir – in particular, the suspense that he used surrounding Myra and her actions during the war. Though he achieves it in the first few chapters and her actions are drawn out nicely, the truth isn’t revealed until the end of the book, by which time I’d half forgotten that she’d done something naughty.
Overall, Private Bill: In Love and War is an easy, informative read about a real-life account of what it was like to be a prisoner of war. If you’re interested in war, or how Australians contributed to World War Two, then give this one a read.
September 9, 2015
Barrie Cassidy, best known to Australians as a face on ABC television, has produced an interesting account of his father's experiences as a prisoner during WWII and subsequent reintegration into civilian life on his return home. For 50 years, Barrie Cassidy's mother kept secret the birth of a son who was conceived during a brief affair when Bill was presumed dead on active service. This son was taken for adoption and never mentioned again until his mother receives a letter as a result of the Adoption Information Act allowing adoptees to trace their parents. While the events in this book appear extraordinary they are actually very much a part of many ordinary people's lives, including Cassidy's parents. The author originally intended to write an account of his father's wartime experiences for dissemination among family members: we are indeed that he was persuaded to publish it for a wider audience.
February 15, 2015
Not a literary masterpiece, and it was never meant to be, Private Bill was a thorough account of one man's experiences of war. Barrie Cassidy has retold the story of his father's life in a simple and caring manner. The research into Bill's life is engaging, giving the reader a true account of the horrors of war through the eyes of a quiet and no fuss character, accepting of whatever was dealt to him. His letters home ask only of his relatives, giving a very brief line or two over to his own shocking imprisonment or war experiences.
Chiltern itself as a small town years ago is reminiscent of the town I grew up in. My father was of a similar nature, the large family, the no fuss take what comes along attitude. I understand the moral dilemma Bill had on discovering his wife's secret. Very hard for both he and his wife as people of their time. Thanks for the read.
Chiltern itself as a small town years ago is reminiscent of the town I grew up in. My father was of a similar nature, the large family, the no fuss take what comes along attitude. I understand the moral dilemma Bill had on discovering his wife's secret. Very hard for both he and his wife as people of their time. Thanks for the read.
January 26, 2016
Christmas present which I found so compelling I read it on Christmas day around a long family lunch! a privilege to be allowed into the author's private life and more so inthat that of his parents, with his father's experiences of being a POW in WW2 being the core of the book - but not the only implication. Well written and easy to read - and I am grateful for the insight into the lives of our servicemen captured as POWs.
January 30, 2015
This was quite a good story but I found it a bit flat at times. The author seemed to have a lot of difficulty getting into his mother's mind and emotions especially so she never came alive. Of course the book was about his father, who he did manage to make come alive to a large extent, so that's probably just my quibble.
August 5, 2015
If you like biographies you will enjoy this one for sure.
January 10, 2017
Simply told by Barrie Cassidy of "Insiders" fame. This is the story of his Mum and Dad, mainly his Dad's wartime experience as a POW in Europe in WW2. A very good read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews